Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi speaking in the provincial assembly on a private members day, has announced exemption of property tax on all categories of five-marla houses in the province.
Averring on the demand in this context in the shape of unanimous resolution by the provincial assembly previously and on Tuesday by opposition MPA Rana Sana Ullah, Elahi said this exemption would be across-the-board in the province.
While the Punjab Marriage Functions (Prohibition of Ostentatious Displays and Wasteful Expenses) Amendment Bill 2004 being referred to the standing committee, two bills, The University of Gujrat (Amendment Bill) 2004 and The Institute of South Asia Lahore (Amendment) Bill 2004 were disposed of by the provincial assembly, during its legislative deliberations on Tuesday.
Earlier on a point of order of MPA Ijaz Samma on fund allocation to provincial legislators, provincial Law Minister Raja Basharat said that these would only be given on identification of a project and committees would look into such identifications, he added. A privilege motion by MPA Mehr Ishtiaq was kept pending for two days.
Elahi responding to certain suggestions on health sector from MPA Rana Aftab said that the Punjab government had taken major steps to improve this sector. Referring to increase from Rs 20 million to Rs 400 million for cause of especial children, he said that Rs 1 billion would be spent to upgrade emergency services in 11 teaching hospitals in the province. Besides increased finances for upgradation of Basic Health Units, pay of trainee doctors has been increased from Rs 4,000 to Rs 10,000 in the province, he added.
To a question regarding Abiana rates for farmers on tail-end in Punjab from MPA Asghar Gujjar, the Punjab chief minister said that a finding of a parliamentary committee was on anvil. Exemption to farmers, who are not receiving water on the tail, would be given exemption in this regard, he added.
To a question of MPA Syed Ehsan Ullah Waqas during question hour, the provincial Zakat and Ushr minister said that Punjab received over Rs 5 billion during 2002-03. To audit this account, the Auditor General of Pakistan has established a separate directorate, he added.
To a question from MPA Sughra Islam, the provincial Zakat and Ushr minister said that there were 1,282 Zakat committees in Lahore.
To a question from MPA Samina Navid the minister said that Rs 500 "Guzara Allowance" through cross cheque, educational scholarships of Rs 75 from primary to middle and Rs 112 for high school and Rs 375 from intermediate to graduation and Rs 750 for post-graduation, Rs 874 for engineering and medical colleges and Rs 874 for students of computer sciences were provided in the province.
Model Dini Madaris linked with Pakistan Madressah Education Board were also receiving scholarships under the head.
Zakat was also being given in government hospitals for treatment of needy, the minister added. Later, the chair adjourned the house.